The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 10, No. 277, October 13, 1827

MAN

Philosophers have puzzled themselves how to define man, so as to distinguish him from other animals. Burke says, "Man is an animal that cooks its victuals." "Then," says Johnson, "the proverb is just, 'there is reason in roasting eggs.'" Dr. Adam Smith has hit this case; "Man," says he, "is an animal that makes bargains; no other animal does this—one dog does not change a bone with another."—London Mag.

LANGUAGES

A French professor of languages, in what he calls an Ethnographic Atlas of the Globe, states there are 860 languages, and about 5,000 dialects, all which may be classed; in addition to as many more which are not so arranged. In the present state of our knowledge, therefore, the Asiatic languages amount to 153; the European to 53; the African to 114; the Polynesian to 117; and the American to 423.

Epitaph in the Church-yard of Iselton Cum Fenby, in Lincolnshire.

 
Here lies the bodie of old Will Loveland,
He's put to bed at length with a shovel, and
Eas'd of expenses for raiment and food,
Which all his life tyme he would fain have eseyewed:
He grudg'd his housekeeping—his children's support,
And laid in his meates of the cagge mag sorte,
No fyshe or fowle touch'd he, when 'twas dearly bought,
But a green taile or herrings, a score for a groate.
        No friend to the needy,
        His wealth gather'd speedy,
    And he never did naught but evil;
        He liv'd like a hogg,
        And dyed like a dogg,
    And now he rides post to the devil.
 

LENDING BOOKS

Doctor Gerhard, of Jena, used to write in his books a Latin inscription, thus translated:—"I belong to Gerhard's library; take care neither to soil nor tear me; neither keep me in your possession out of the library more than one month. Do not steal me."

TO THE PUBLIC

With the present Number of the Mirror is published a SUPPLEMENTARY SHEET, half of which is occupied by THREE ENGRAVINGS, viz. an authorized Ground Plan of St. JAMES'S and the GREEN PARKS—a View of BUCKINGHAM NEW PALACE, and of the GRAND ENTRANCE to the PALACE GARDENS at Hyde Park Corner. The Supplement also contains minute references and descriptions of the above Engravings, and the REPORT of the EXPEDITIONS of Captains Parry and Franklin, recently returned to England. The daily increasing interest of the above subjects (which so largely engross the public attention) cannot fail to render the above Number proportionally acceptable to our readers; whilst the illustrations will recommend themselves by the fidelity of the sources from which they are executed.

Printed and published by J. LIMBIRD, 143, Strand, (near Somerset House,) and sold by all Newsmen and Booksellers.